The cultural capital of South India, Chennai is a bustling Indian city that provides a home to some of the oldest pilgrimage sites, British colonial architecture, sandy beaches, and newly developed markets. It’s a kind of place that is rich in history, culture, and tradition, drawing the attention of thousands of visitors every month.
As you explore its streets, you’ll be amazed to see a fantastic combination of mouthwatering cuisine with a plethora of tourist attractions that keep you on your toes every time you step out of your hotel/resort in Chennai. So, whether you’re here for a business or leisure trip, you can surely find things that will let you have the best time of your life.
Here we have compiled a list of places to visit in Chennai in one day to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
- Chennai Places to visit in 1 Day: Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Government Museum, Marina Beach, Vivekanand House, Guindy National Park, MGR Film City
1. Sri Parthasarathy Temple
The most famous temple in Chennai, Sri Parthasarathy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed to have been built in the 8th century by the Pallava dynasty and has since undergone numerous renovations and additions.
The main deity of Sri Parthasarathy Temple is Lord Krishna, who is worshipped here in five different forms - Parthasarathy (the charioteer of Arjuna in Mahabharata), Ranganatha, Narasimha, Rama, and Varadaraja. While the main sanctum houses the idol of Parthasarathy, other deities are located in separate shrines within the temple complex.
One of the unique features of the temple is its architectural style, which is a blend of various influences, including Dravidian, Pallava, Chola, and Vijayanagara. The temple's gopuram (tower) is one of the tallest in the city and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. Here you will also observe the mandapams (halls) designed with beautiful pillars and ceiling paintings, which are no less than a treat to watch.
2. Government Museum
Visit the Government Museum to see a vast collection of artifacts that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu and other parts of India. It’s the 2nd oldest museum in the country that is divided into various sections named archaeology, zoology, geology, botany, and numismatics.
Step back into the ancient times with an archaeological section as it houses rare artifacts such as stone sculptures, inscriptions, and pottery from the Indus Valley Civilization, the Chola Dynasty, and other periods in Indian history.
On one side, the zoology section features a massive skeleton of a blue whale with other specimens like mammals, birds, and reptiles, the botany section on the other side has a large collection of plant specimens including medicinal plants. In addition to all this, the geology section showcases rocks, minerals, and fossils from various regions of India and the numismatics section houses an impressive collection of ancient coins and currency.
Apart from the permanent exhibits, the museum also hosts educational programs for children and adults. There is also a library that houses a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and rare documents related to the rich history and cultural heritage of the country.
3. Marina Beach
Heaven for beach lovers, Marina Beach is a natural urban beach that invites people of all age groups to spend some relaxing time alongside its beautiful shoreline. It’s a stretch of about 13 km that is flocked by almost 30000 visitors every day, making it a topmost tourist destination to explore in Chennai in one day.
Stroll around with your loved ones to soak in its serenity. Relax on the loungers or under the parasols to take a break from a tiresome daily routine. Enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise or sunset for an unforgettable experience.
Try your hand at various water sports like swimming, jet skiing, snorkeling, etc., to feel an adrenaline rush in your body. Or simply bring in your picnic baskets to create some unforgettable memories with your family.
There are also numerous restaurants, cafes, and local food vendors that serve a wide range of dishes to cater to everyone’s taste. Depending on your mood, you can order whatever you like. Make sure to apply enough sunscreen to protect yourself from getting tanned while exploring its surroundings. Also, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes whenever you plan to head to Marina Beach, one of the top places to visit in Chennai.
4. Vivekanand House
The next destination you cannot miss including on your itinerary list of 1 Day places to visit in Chennai is the Vivekananda House. Also referred to as the Ice House, the Vivekananda House is a famous shrine for the followers of Swami Vivekananda who was a renowned Indian spiritual leader.
Built-in the year 1877, it was earlier used to store the ice brought in from the United States. However, later, in 1900, when Swami Vivekananda stayed there for almost a time period of 6 weeks, the house was converted into a museum in 1963 to honor his visit.
As you go inside its premises, you’ll notice that the Vivekananda House is a 2-story building that presents a fine blend of Indian and Western styles, reflecting Swami Vivekananda's philosophy of combining the best of both worlds. There is a meditation hall to attain inner peace of mind, a veranda, a courtyard, a kitchen, and a garden where he used to play with children.
Other than that, this museum also hosts various spiritual and educational programs including yoga and meditation classes, talks on Indian philosophy, and spiritual retreats for all those who’re looking to surround themselves with positivity from the inside out. In short, we can say that this house is an excellent place to sneak peek into the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda.
5. Guindy National Park
Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, the Guindy National Park provides a home to a diverse range of rare and endangered species of fauna in an area that stretches to about 2.7 km of land. It is a must-visit attraction on your Chennai tour that welcomes people to interact with 14 species of wild animals, 150 species of birds, and 60 plus species of spiders and butterflies under one roof.
Here you can also spot numerous reptiles and amphibians along with more than 350 species of vegetation which is a treat to watch. It would be worth noting that the authorities at the Guindy National Park strive hard to keep up with their natural habitats and offer an environment that enables them to breathe freely without worrying about anything.
Take a walk inside the park to capture the various species through your camera lens. Head to Snake Park to see King Cobra, Viper, Python, and Sea Snakes with Turtles too. A Children’s Park covering an area of 22 acres is also there for families seeking to enjoy a fun-filled day out with their little ones. The Children’s Park has several types of slides and swings for toddlers with a café where you can munch on your favorite snack while on the go.
6. MGR Film City
Don’t miss visiting the MGR Film City if you’re exploring this city with our all-inclusive Chennai tour packages. Named after MG Ramachandran – the ex-CM of Tamil Nadu, the MGR Film City is an excellent destination for people seeking to enjoy a perfect weekend getaway retreat with an unlimited dose of fun, happiness, and entertainment.
It is a beautiful film studio complex that leaves you spellbound with its majestic waterfalls, vibrant marketplace, and lush forests. Here you can also find various indoor and outdoor shooting locations along with landscaped gardens constructed in Japanese, Italian, and Mughal styles.
The replicas of villages and urban areas with a prison, police station, temple, church, post office, etc., are also there within the area for your utmost enjoyment. If lucky, you might also spot a Tamil actor shooting for his upcoming film at the MGR Film City. Please note that the entry fee to visit the MGR Film City is INR 25 per person and it can be explored at any time throughout the day between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM.
Shopping
You cannot leave Chennai without purchasing silk sarees for your loved ones back home. After all, it’s a city that has the best silk sarees in the world.
The T. Nagar is a bustling shopping area that receives a huge influx of people every day interested in exploring an exclusive collection of sarees and gold jewelry. Some of the shops here offer great discounts on some of the items. Make sure to avail of them to save your hard-earned money. Once done with saree shopping, you can hog on authentic South Indian food at the roadside stalls at T. Nagar to satisfy your cravings for South Indian cuisine.
Chennai has many other shopping markets for shopaholics looking to buy other items than the Silk Sarees at reasonable rates. For instance, you can head to Pondy Bazaar for Clothes and Footwear, Sowcarpet for Suits and Lehengas, Ritchie Street for Electronic Goods, and Panagal Park for jewelry.
The above-mentioned list is enough to keep you occupied all day long during your 1 Day visit to Chennai. If time permits, extend your getaway to 2 days, 3-days, or a complete week to explore more about its history, culture, and diverse heritage. Some of the places that deserve your attention are San Thome Cathedral Basilica, Valluvar Kottam, Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Thousand Lights Mosque, Elliot’s Beach, Royapuram Fishing Harbour, Marundeeswarar Temple, Ashtalakshmi Temple, and Connemara Public Library.
Need any help with your itinerary planning for the next trip? Get in touch with our professionals. We at Chennai Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, present a diverse range of Chennai tour packages to cater to everyone’s needs. Depending on your holiday budget, duration, and other requirements, our team can help you customize the package of your choice. For your ease, we have also curated a list of top car rental companies in Chennai from where you can book a cab to commute within the city in your utmost comfort. What else? Please fill out the Contact Us form to know more about our offerings!
